So Long, Andy Studebaker
Oct 31, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Andy Studebaker (96) celebrates after coming up with a fumble recovery in the second half against the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs have cut OLB Andy Studebaker and now it is time to say goodbye.
Here at Arrowhead Addict, we like to send off special Chiefs in style. Sometimes the sendoffs are tongue-in-cheek and sometimes they aren’t. Sometimes they’re both.
What can we say about Andy Studebaker?
Back in 2009, Andy was one of the players that represented a new era of Kansas City Chiefs football. He made some plays here and there as a backup to Mike Vrabel but was thrust into the spotlight when Vrabel went down with an injury. Andy got the start against the Pittsburgh Steelers that year. I’m from the Cleveland area and even though the Chiefs are my favorite team, I still root for the hometown Browns and a severe dislike for the Pittsburgh Steelers is in my blood. Studebaker rose to the occasion that Sunday afternoon in 2009, picking off two passes and nearly returning one for a touchdown. The Chiefs won in a huge upset that included a big day by Jamaal Charles, a KO knee to the head of Ben Roethlisberger courtesy of Mr. Derrick Johnson and a key tackle by Jovan Belcher, to force a punt in overtime. THough KC was terrible that year, Chiefs fans were excited about Studebaker’s future with the team.
The KC win led to this awesome highlight video which features Studebaker’s big plays.
My other favorite Andy moment was when he pulled the ball out of the pile on Halloween night versus the San Diego Chargers on Monday Night Football.
Oct 31, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) fumbles the ball and Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Andy Studebaker (96) recovers on a play in the fourth quarter at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Andy Studebaker (96) comes up with a fumble recovery in the second half against the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Andy Studebaker (96) celebrates after coming up with a fumble recovery in the second half against the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
In the end, Andy was a big part of two of my favorite KC Chiefs games ever.
It is with a heavy, heavy heart, we bid farewell to Andy Studebaker. He was the ultimate team player and certainly contributed to some very exciting Kansas City Chiefs football. May he land on his feet with another NFL team. May he forever stay out of the AFC West.
In honor of Andy helping to get a win against the evil Pittsburgh Steelers for Chiefs fan from Ohio, I’ve gotta send him off with a song from the best (only?) rap group to come out of Cleveland.
So long, Andy.